Child Sexual Exploitation

To report child sexual exploitation call 999 if the child is at immediate risk, or call 101 if you think a crime has been committed, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online. If you are concerned about your own thoughts and behaviour in relation to Child Sexual Abuse contact Stop It Now!

What is Child Sexual Exploitation?

Child sexual exploitation (CSE) is a type of sexual abuse. When a child or young person is exploited they’re given things, like gifts, drugs, money, status and affection, in exchange for performing sexual activities. Children and young people are often tricked into believing they’re in a loving and consensual relationship. This is called grooming. They may trust their abuser and not understand that they’re being abused. Sometimes abusers use violence and intimidation to frighten or force a child, so they feel they have no choice, including around finances.

Children and young people can be trafficked into or within the UK to be sexually exploited. They’re moved around the country and abused by being forced to take part in sexual activities, often with more than one person. Young people in gangs can also be sexually exploited.

Child Sexual Exploitation includes rape, prostitution, sexual photography, subjection to pornography or witnessing sexual acts, and sexual assault or acts involving a child.

CSE can happen in person or online.

Online exploitation online may include:

• Send or post sexually explicit images of themselves
• Film or stream sexual activities
• Have sexual conversations.

All of which may be used by the abuser to threaten and blackmail the young person or child to take part in other sexual activity. They may also share with others or circulate them online.

Gangs use child sexual exploitation:

• To exert power and control
• For initiation
• To use sexual violence as a weapon.

Children or young people might be invited to parties or gatherings with drugs and alcohol. They may be assaulted and sexually abused by one person or multiple perpetrators. The sexual assaults and abuse can be violent, humiliating and degrading.

Signs of child sexual exploitation can be difficult to spot. The NSPCC have provided a list of signs:

• Unhealthy or inappropriate sexual behaviour.
• Being frightened of some people, places or situations.
• Bring secretive.
• Sharp changes in mood or character.
• Having money or things they can’t or won’t explain.
• Physical signs of abuse, like bruises or bleeding in their genital or anal area.
• Alcohol or drug misuse.
• Sexually transmitted infections.

Along with the following:

• Having an older boyfriend or girlfriend.
• Staying out late or overnight.
• Having a new group of friends.
• Missing from home or care, or stopping going to school or college.
• Hanging out with older people, other vulnerable people or in antisocial groups.
• Involved in a gang.
• Involved in criminal activities like selling drugs or shoplifting.

There is more information on the NSPCC website.

Some of these signs can be difficult to differentiate from normal teenage behaviour as children get older.

The effects of child sexual exploitation, occur for both in person and online victims and are likely to have long term effects, some of which include:

• struggle with trust and be fearful of forming new relationships
• become isolated from family and friends
• fail exams or drop out of education
• become pregnant at a young age
• experience unemployment
• have mental health problems
• make suicide attempts
• abuse alcohol and drugs
• take part in criminal behaviour
• experience homelessness.